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Pennington County awards bridge grants and multiple highway construction and supply contracts
Summary
The Highway Department reported more than $5.4 million in bridge-improvement grant awards over five years and the Commission approved a slate of 2025 construction and supply contract awards and bid recommendations.
Pennington County commissioners approved bridge-improvement grant agreements and a package of 2025 highway construction and supplies awards at their March 18 meeting.
Highway Superintendent Joe Miller told commissioners the county has secured about $5.4 million in bridge-improvement grant awards since 2021, with roughly $700,000 in construction engineering costs funded in part by the county’s wheel tax. Miller said those grants have helped reduce the number of county bridges rated in poor condition.
The board approved the bridge improvement grant agreements (project numbers BRO 8052 2025-1 and MBRO 80520025-2) on a motion by Commissioner Drews and second by Commissioner Dirr.
Votes at a glance (selected contract awards approved March 18): - AC 2025 asphalt concrete overlay: Simon Contractors of South Dakota, Rapid City — $332,112.44 (moved by Dirr, second by Drews). - ASC 2025 asphalt surface crack sealing: Highway Improvements, Sioux Falls — $423,569.50 (moved by Rosknecht, second by Drews). - AST 2025 asphalt surface treatment (Alternative A): Tubidamus Paving and Curb Bridge, Ortonville, Minnesota — $1,000,294.61 (moved by Durr, second by Rosknecht). - BR 2025 bridge replacement: Young Guns Construction LLC, Ludlow, South Dakota — $2,862,038.00 (moved by Drews, second by Durr). - Aggregate materials, asphalt composite and maintenance materials: awards split among 63 Industries LLC; Pete Lehnane & Sons Inc.; Western Construction Inc.; J & J Asphalt Co.; Simon Contractors; Rinker Materials; Hussain Construction LLC; Wheeler (timber bridge materials).
Miller also reviewed recent bid trends: asphalt pricing showed modest decreases compared with recent years and one large box culvert purchase came in roughly $300,000 under the county engineer’s estimate after the supplier honored last year’s pricing. He said one asphalt crack-sealing bidder was rejected for an incorrect bid bond, which moved the award to the next lowest qualified bidder.
The board approved all motions presented under the highway items by voice votes. Commissioners asked questions about procedures for separating motions and about project timing; Miller confirmed bids and contract awards followed normal procurement rules.
No public comments were recorded for the highway package.
